NBA: Top 10 interior defenders so far this season

#1 Rudy Gobert - Utah Jazz

Denver Nuggets v Utah Jazz

The Stifle Tower, as Gobert is popularly known among NBA fans, ranked third in the Defensive Player of the Year sweepstakes last year. A large part of the explanation for that is the fact that most Utah Jazz games are not nationally televised, giving voters few glimpses at the influence that Gobert exerts on the opponents' offensive possessions on a nightly basis.

In Gobert's case, the advanced statistics speak for themselves. On a per-game basis, Gobert ranks first among all players in defensive win shares. He also owns the best defensive rating among starting centers at a paltry 98.0 points/100 possessions.

He gobbles up 26.5% of available defensive rebounds, ranks second in the NBA in blocks per game and his opponents shoot a miserly 43.5% with him on court.

But even if we didn't have the luxury of advanced statistics to help our case, the on-field evidence from this season bears out the notion that the Stifle Tower is indeed the best in the business. He has no problems guarding the perimeter on switches, and his 7'9" wingspan allows him to alter most opponents' attempts inside the paint.

The Jazz have received a new lease of life after his return from injury, winning 18 of their last 20 games and improving to be the 4th best defense in basketball. Gobert not winning the Defensive player of the Year award this year would be a travesty if the Jazz do succeed on making the Playoffs because his defense would surely be the most important reason why.